Latest news with #SouthEastHealthUnit
CTV News
31-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Kingston, Ont. health unit warns of increased amount of carfentanil in local drug supply
The South East Health Unit is warning residents about an observed rise in the presence of the synthetic opioid carfentanil in the local drug supply. The health unit says in a news release that the Kingston Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site has reported an increase in expected fentanyl samples testing positive for carfentanil, which is considered to be up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl. 'The presence of carfentanil in the unregulated drug supply is cause for concern, as its strength significantly increases the risk for drug poisonings and drug poisoning deaths. Reversing its effects may require higher-than-usual doses of naloxone,' the health unit says. The South East Health Unit is advising people if they are going to use drugs, to avoid using alone, avoid mixing drugs, go slow, and have naloxone on hand to reverse the effects of an overdose, if one occurs. Going to the supervised consumption site at 661 Montreal St. in Kingston is also recommended. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to anyone. The site offers supervised consumption services, including drug poisoning response if needed, harm reduction education and supplies, including disposal of used supplies, naloxone, connection with community support workers, and drug checking services. If you have a friend or family member who uses drugs, it is advised that you obtain a free naloxone kit and training and forward safety warnings to them. You can also call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677). This is a toll-free, phone-based virtual service, where trained peer volunteers answer calls, assist in making a safety plan and stay on the line with the person for approximately 20 to 35 minutes.
CBC
15-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
New measles exposure warnings in Kingston, Tamworth, Napanee
The local health unit is telling people who visited a screening of A Minecraft Movie in Kingston, a school or post office in Tamworth, or hospitals in Napanee and Prince Edward County this month, that they may have been exposed to measles and may need to take action. The South East Health Unit said in a Tuesday news release that people in the following places may have been exposed to the highly contagious, potentially lethal disease: Tamworth Elementary School between April 3-10. Tamworth Post Office on April 10 from 4:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. The emergency department of Lennox & Addington County General Hospital on April 10 from 7 p.m. to 11:47 p.m. Cineplex Kingston on April 10 from 4:20 p.m. to 8 p.m., including at the 4:35 p.m. screening of A Minecraft Movie, the concession area and bathrooms. Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital on April 11 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The advisory was related to a new single positive case of measles, the health unit said. The health unit says people who visited those locations and are immunocompromised, have fewer than two measles vaccinations and are born after 1970, are younger than a year old, are pregnant and/or are a health care or child care worker without immunity to measles should call them at 613-966-5500 extension 349 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The health unit has more information and guidance on its website. Other exposures in last 2 weeks Ontario is in a measles outbreak, with more than 800 cases as of the latest weekly update from Public Health Ontario. Symptoms include fever, cough, irritated eyes and a red, blotchy face rash that spreads. Ontario had no more than 22 cases a year from 2013 to 2019, according to the province. The South East Health Unit is a merger between the health units for Hastings and Prince Edward counties; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties; and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties.
CBC
13-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles cases in Hastings County triple in a week amid largest outbreak in 30 years
Social Sharing The number of measles cases in Hastings County has risen to 32, more than triple the number reported by local health officials just one week ago when they first confirmed an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. In an update on Thursday, the South East Health Unit (SEHU) urged residents to make sure their immunizations are up to date amid the largest measles outbreak in Ontario in 30 years. All of the Hastings County cases involve people who had never been vaccinated against the disease, according to the health unit. SEHU previously said the first positive case in the region was an unvaccinated adult who travelled within the province. As of Thursday, Ontario had reported a total of 372 confirmed and probable cases provincewide, the SEHU stated, including outbreaks declared by 11 public health units. "Measles is incredibly infectious," said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, medical officer of health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), in an March 6 interview with CBC's All In A Day. He said the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room, adding the disease "can have very serious health consequences." Measles symptoms can appear between one and three weeks after exposure and include fever, coughing and a runny nose, along with red, watery eyesr. That's followed by a "very dramatic" and characteristic blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading down the body, according to Toumishey. In its update Thursday, SEHU provided the following advice to anyone planning to visit the Grand Erie or Southwestern Public Health Regions: Infants between six and 11 months should receive one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, with two additional doses after they turn one. Children between the ages of one and four who have received their first dose are encouraged to received a second as soon as possible. A second does of MMR vaccine is also recommended for adults born on or after 1970. The media release included a quote from Dr. Piotr Oglaza, the SEHU's medical officer of health, describing the vaccine as a safe and effective way to reduce the spread and prevent "severe outcomes."
